those on the Mediterranean diet were 30% less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke. Subsequent studies have shown even more health benefits (more on these shortly).

People who eat low-fat, near-vegan, plant-based diets, on the other hand, regularly lower their cholesterol levels by 10 to 35 percent.31

Across a broad spectrum of regions and ethnicities, beans/legumes have been found to be the most consistent and reliable predictor of longevity. An 8 percent reduction in death was reported for every 20 grams (2 tablespoons) of beans eaten daily.29 Beans, nuts, and seeds have numerous anticancer compounds, including phytic acid and inositol